Major powers including the United States met in the Austrian capital on Monday to discuss the expanding presence of the Islamic State jihadist group in conflict-ridden Libya, just across the Mediterranean from Europe.
IS has taken advantage of the chaos left by the toppling and death of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011, which led to rival militias vying for control of the oil-rich country.
A recently formed unity government backed by the international community has been slowly asserting its authority in Tripoli but it still faces a rival administration in the east.
In a bid to stabilise the country, the fledgling regime has drawn up a list of requests for Western partners to assist its forces with arms, training and intelligence.
The Vienna conference is being co-chaired by the United States and Italy, Libya's former colonial ruler which has faced a major influx of migrants from the North African nation braving the perilous sea voyage.
More than 20 top diplomats are set to attend the meeting.
"We have a lot of work to do," said US Secretary of State John Kerry during a brief press appearance with his Jordanian counterpart Nasser Judeh at Vienna's plush Bristol Hotel, as the pair held talks ahead of the official gathering. The conference is also expected to focus on the flow of illegal immigrants from Libya to Europe, after a damning report from the British parliament suggested last week that an EU naval mission to combat people trafficking was "failing".
'Coherent list' needed
The Government of National Accord headed by businessman Fayez al-Sarraj has won international support as well as backing from key institutions like the central bank and the National Oil Corporation. But it has failed to get the endorsement of the elected parliament and its ally Khalifa Haftar, a self-declared army chief who has launched a crusade against Islamist fighters across the country. A rival Tripoli-based government has also refused to recognise the GNA.
Amid the chaos, the Islamic State group has carved itself a bastion in Libya where it overran last year the Mediterranean coastal city of Sirte, Gadhafi's hometown, transforming it into a training camp for militants.
Europe fears the jihadists, who have in recent weeks made new advances, will use Sirte's port and airport as a springboard to launch attacks on the continent.
The concerns have struck a chord with Washington, where officials and diplomats say plans are being drawn up to loosen a ban on arms exports to Libya imposed five years ago by the United Nations.AFP
The Islamic State group has carved itself a bastion in Libya where it overran last year the Mediterranean coastal city of Sirte, Gadhafi's hometown, transforming it into a training camp for militants
